Celebrating the 105th National Day

The "National Day of Bhutan" has always remained a special day for all the Bhutanese; young and old alike to commemorate the coronation of the first monarch of Bhutan, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck and for remaining as a sovereign state thus far. Apart from the main celebrations held at Changlingmethang, this day is celebrated even in the remotest part of the country. As every Bhutanese knows, it was on the 17th December 1907 that the country was unified and the first hereditary monarch crowned. Ever since then, Bhutan, the land of the thunder dragon has always remained an independent and a sovereign kingdom ruled by wise and farsighted monarchs. The national day celebrations have come a long way and has only become more colorful and vibrant over the years. It is also on this day that the most serving and deserving citizens are awarded the highest award from His Majesty the King.

Today, it was yet another moment of joy for all the Bhutanese to come together and take part in this 105th National Day celebrations. Owing to my nature of work, which calls for uninterrupted supply of power, especially on such a day, I had to stay back at the station as always. My remaining back has also directly deprived my family to partake in such events. Thanks to the BBS, there was a live coverage from Changlingmethang and it was indeed nice to watch it at my own leisure and will. It was also a proud moment for we the employees of the power sector as two of our leaders were recognized for their service to the Tsa-wa-sum. The Director General of Hydropower and Power Systems, Yeshi Wangdi and the Joint Managing Director of Punatsangchu Hydropower Project Authority, Phuntsho Norbu were conferred the title of Dasho and Red scarf by His Majesty. Congratulation Dashos!

Did I Insure With RICB To Be Sure?

Today, me and my wife went to Wangdue to renew the vehicle insurance, road worthiness certificate and the registration booklet(a.k.a bluebook though it is green now). These renewals come with a golden price tag and often have to bear the brunt of the officials.

(Photo source: RICB website)


The first in sequence was to renew the insurance which I thought would not dig down deep into my pocket, this time. Instead, I was quite taken aback to find that the insurance premium of my car had increased significantly instead of decreasing. When asked how that could be possible, the official at the desk said it is because of the increase in the value of my car (sum insured) and thus the resultant increase in premium. He proclaimed that the valuation was done from their head office in Phuntsholing and he played a "nice guy" by giving me a 10% discount on the "price tag". I could not hold but laugh, as car being a depreciating asset, the increase in its value was quite a contradiction to the general norm. How do they value my car without even inspecting its condition? A 10% discount was just a cover-up abatement to please their clients, as i think. He further made me ill-disposed with the idea of insurance as he indicated that the premium would not go down henceforth. I had to immediately ask myself, am I being too risk averse? In all fairness to the strategies of the RICB, this comprehensive insurance has been a financial blackhole to me personally. And as i write this, i reflect on this rhetorical question; Insure with RICB to be sure - Am i sure?

Whatsoever be the matter, my car is worth journeying on the road for a year from now, and until this time next year, I'll not have to bother about any of the compliances.

Doomsday- NASA Says It Is Not

The much talked about topic- the doomsday, which falls on the 21st December 2012 has brought about uncontrolled rage and frenzy in different segments of the society across the globe. This has all started due to the ending of the Mayan calendar on this very date, which has been translated by some influential people as the end of the World. To take advantage of the hype, the filmmakers have even produced a film titled "2012" centering around the end of the world. Whatever be the motive, I truly enjoyed the film as it had a certain element of thrill unlike other thrillers. Scores of websites have come up cooking up stories about how the world would end on this particular day. Millions of Doomsday preppers have organized events at different locations and the countdown has already begun. Panic buying of candles and essentials has accelerated not only in China and Russia, but there has been a simultaneous explosion in the sale of survival equipment, food, fuel and emergency shelters in America in preparation for the Mayan calendar's long count deadline: December 21st 2012, the marketoracle.co.uk reports.

Photo source: google

Despite all these hearsays, NASA has a different story to tell. It says there is no evidence that the world would end. NASA says the planet Nibiru does not exists, and rumours it could be hiding behind the sun are totally unfounded. The space agency has also rejected apocalyptic theories about unusual alignments of the planets, or that the Earth's magnetic poles could suddenly "flip" to cause calamity. The only thing that is known to happen is the winter solstice which occurs every year on this date. However, conspiracy theorists contend that the American space agency is involved in an elaborate cover up to prevent panic. Back here in Bhutan, not many are concerned with the end of the world story as the Buddhist astrologers also disapproves the untimely end of the era. Thirteen days to go and this Doomsday will be lost with time.